Territory



(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIE.

JULIUS RICHARD, OF BISBEE, ARIZONA TERRITORY, ASSIGN OR OF THREE-EIGHTHS TO FRANK DU OAOHER, AUGUST J OERSS, FRED COLEMAN, AND OTTO VONKANEL, OF SAME PLACE.

RAILROAD-S PIKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 594,757, dated November30, 1897. I

Application filed December 5, 1896. Serial No. 614,601. (No modeL) I ToaZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I,'JULIUs RICHARD, a citizen of the Republic of France,residing at Bisbee, in the county of Cochise and Territory of Arizona,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad-Spikes;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which-it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to railroad-spikes, and has for its object toprovide a simple, cheap, and efficient spike which when driven I 5 intothe tie will be adapted to spread and obtain a firmer hold on the tiethan by the ordinary construction.

The improved spike is divided longitudinally and beveled as to itsseparated por- 2o tions, so that as the spike is driven down the saidportions are caused to spread away from a central line, thereby causingthe spike to become more firmly embedded in the tie, and the said spikealso comprises near its head cheek portions and also alaterally-projecting lug forming a sustaining-shoulder, all of whichwill be hereinafter described.

The invention consists in a railroad-spike embodying certain novelfeatures and details 0 of construction,as hereinafter fully described,illustrated in the drawings, and incorporated in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of theimproved railroadspike. Fig. 2 is a section through the tie, showing theposition of the spike when driven to place. Fig. 3 is a side elevationof the spike.

Similar numerals of reference designate cor- 40 responding parts in theseveral figures of the drawings.

The improved railroad-spike contemplated in this invention resembles inits general outline an ordinary railroad-spike. This spike comprises thebody or shank portion 1,which is provided at one end with an enlargedhead 2, having the usual overhanging or laterallyprojecting lip 3 forengaging the base of a railway-rail, or the fish-plate, which connectsto the contiguous ends of the rails in a manner well understood.

For the purpose of carrying out this invention a round hole 3 is formedin the spike, extending transversely therethrough at a point about aninch, more or less, below the 5 5.

head 2, and this hole extends in a direction at right angles to the railwhen the spike is in place. From the hole 3 the body or shank of thespike is divided longitudinally, said division extending to the point orend of-the 6o spike and opening out through it, whereby the body orshank of the spike is divided into two equal portions firmly conneotedor formed integrally with the head 2. At their extremities these dividedportions are beveled on their inner faces downward and outward, asindicated at 4, whereby as the spike is driven home the divided portionsare caused to separate or be deflected in opposite directions, assuminga position shown in Fig. 2, and thereby serving to prevent thedisplacement of the spike.

Just under the head 2 the body or shank 1 is provided with cheeks 5,formed by thickening the spike on each side at a point on each side ofthe transverse hole 3. These cheeks not only strengthen the body of thespike adjacent to the point where the same is weakened by the formationof the hole 3, but they also serve to snugly fill the mouth of theopening in the tie formed by driving the spike therein. On that side ofthe spike opposite to the side from which the lip 3 projects is alaterally-projecting lug 6, which forms a sustaining-shoulder, the samebeing adapted to be driven partly into the tie, so as to become firmlyseated and serving to prevent the spike from being thrust away from thebase-flange of the rail when subjected to heavy strain.

The under side of the laterally-projecting lug 6 is concaved, as clearlyshown, so that as the spike is driven to' place in the tie it will be atthe same time forced toward the rail for causing the lip' 3 to engagemore firmly over the base-flange of the rail.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a very simple andefiioient spike is provided, which obtains a much firmer hold on the tiethan an ordinary spike and which is especially useful on curves wherethe greatest strain is brought to bear on the spike.

The object in making the transverse opening 3 round is to afford noangular termination to the longitudinal division in the spike, whichwould increase the liability of the spike to split entirely in two.

The spike is formed from malleable metal, so that it will spread withoutbreaking.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is As anarticle of manufacture, a railroadspike provided below its head with around transverse opening extending therethrough, the shank of the spikebeing divided longitudinally and centrally from said opening to thepoint of the spike where the divided portions are beveled reversely upontheir inner vsurfaces, thickened cheek portions at each side of thespike extending from the transverse opening upward toward the head, anda rearWardly-projecting lug forming a sustaining-shoulder and having acurved and concave lower surface whereby in driving the spike, saidshoulder or lug serves to force the head of the spike into solidengagement with the base of the rail, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

JULIUS RICHARD.

Vitnesses:

O. HARRIS; JOSEPH CUMMINGS.

